I've been sorting through my albums lately, and when looking through the liner notes of some of the albums, I find notes that artists have written to their fans or about the album that I can't help but share with all of you!

First off; a flashback to the past:2002-David Tao: Black Tangerine.

Here's the intro note that he wrote to all of his fans regarding the concept of the album and what he felt they should get out of it:

"One very early Tuesday morning last year I was awaken by a phone call from a close friend. She told me to immediately turn on the tv and watch the news. What I was about to see that morning would change my life. Unfolding before my eyes was the destruction of New York City and the Twin Towers. I watched the panic stricken faces and the tragedy unfold but for some reason my mind was a blank. I just lay there in my bed numb from the shock and disbelief. Everything looked like a scene from a movie but the horror was that it was a reality.

Many weeks passed before I could even fathom the September 11 attacks. I came to realise that this wasn't about politics, religion or an attack on one specific country but an atrocity committed against out world and on mankind. I was deeply hurt and somehow felt that this was an attack on me personally. As I hopelessly watched the news that day at home I started to ask myself what I could do to help. Yes, I could fly to New York and volunteer as a relief worker or perhaps I could make donations to the Red Cross. But what could I do as a musician and public person? Then I remembered something I had read when I was about twelve. It was the parable of the talents(Matthew 25:14) and it spoke of a story of a man who gave his talents(one talent was worth more than a thousand dollars in those days) to three of his servants before leaving on a journey. After returning from his trip , the man asked his servants what get had done with the money he had given them. Two of them had invested the money and made twofold t he profit. However, the last servant hid the talents in the ground in fear of taking a loss in any kind of investment. The wealthy man was furious when he heard this and ordered that this servant be thrown out into the streets and his talents given to other servants.

While I've always known about this parable I never fully understood how it applied to me of how I could put it into practice. I realised that god has given me abilities that I need to put to work. More importantly, i need to use these talents not just to make music but to make music that celebrates light, life, and love. We are all given talents and abilities by god (or whatever divine power you believe in) but are we making the best of them and how? This is a question I frequently ask myself.

After discovering this new meaning for making this album I began to worry and question about whether people would want to listen to what I had to say or if it was even relevant. I knew one thing for sure and that was I couldn't just act as if nothing had happened. The world is a different place today( and so am I) than it was five years ago or even a year ago and I simply couldn't envision myself continuing to make music only for entertainment purposes that didn't reflect the world we live in. I've always seen music as a responsibility and privilege but also as a gift from The Lord. Therefore, this album holds even more meaning to me as I believe it is a gift of love and hope. And I firmly believe that love is what we need in our world today.

I am excited to finally be able to share this album with you. Thanks for being so patient and for believing in my music.please accept these songs as a gift from us to you. God Bless.

August 2,2002 11.56pm Taipei"

It was reading that note from David Tao that inspired me to create this new blog series. It reminded me that albums aren't just ten random songs stuck in a cd. Each album is a set of ideas, a concept that an artist has created and wants to share with you, the listeners. After all, what kind of album would it be if there was no one to listen and appreciate it?

He also reminded me that musicians have a special talent and that it has so much power that it shouldn't be wasted. Entertainment is all good and well every once in a while, but music should not be limited to only these few shallow ideals. They truly have the ability to share love, celebrate life and promote peace and I think it's just silly if they waste such a precious gift.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy what else is up and coming in the one-liner series; hopefully there will be many more thought provoking ideas that will make your brain hurt like it does mine.